Independent Skype Set for Executive Shakeup

Last week, Skype became a newly independent company, formally separating from its parent of the last four years, eBay. Now the Internet phone company, with major offices in Luxembourg and London, is set for a significant reorganization of its management team.

Scott Durchslag, Skype's chief operating officer, is leaving the company to return to the United States, the company confirmed on Tuesday. His departure has set off a broad reorganization of Skype's management, with executives shuffling responsibilities. Josh Silverman, its chief executive, will likely take a more hands-on operational role at the company.

Mr. Durchslag "has decided to leave to pursue career interests within the global Fortune 500 technology, telecommunications and media industry," wrote Brian O'Shaughnessy, head of communications for Skype, in response to an inquiry about Mr. Durchslag's departure. "During his tenure at Skype, Scott delivered consistently strong financial results, transformed the mobile business with new products and partnerships and launched Skype for Business. He also recruited a world-class team and strengthened our marketing orientation."

In an interview last week, Mr. Silverman said Skype would now be focusing on developing an improved software platform, so other companies could more easily integrate Skype calling into their products. It plans to forge new partnerships. In particular, he said Skype would look to load its calling service onto a broader range of devices, such as mobile phone handsets (Skype already has a deal with Nokia). Mr. Silverman also wants to integrate with wireless carriers who, because of competitive pressures in the cellphone business, are likelier to try to woo customers by offering Skype as an alternative to their own voice networks.

"This is not about adding new features anymore," Mr. Silverman said. "This is about making the few things that matter work really well."

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